北京地区成人本科学士学位英语统一考试1999.6.12

注意事项

一、将答题卡(纸)上的姓名及学生代号用中文和阿拉伯数字填好。

二、仔细阅读题目的说明。

三、在120分钟内答完全部试题。

四、答案一定写在答题卡上，凡是写在试题册上的答案一律作废。

五、用铅笔这样划答案：[A] [B] [C] [D]，用其他符号答题者不记分。

六、如要改动答案，必须先用橡皮擦去原来选定的答案，然后再按上面的规定重新答题。

Part I Reading Comprehension (40%)

Directions: There are four passages in this part. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. You should decide on the best choice and remark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center.

Passage 1 Questions 1 to 5 are based on the following passage.

“ High tech” and “state of the art” are two expressions that describe very modern technology. High tech is just a shorter way of saying high tech¬nology. And high technology describes any invention, system of device that uses the newest ideas or discoveries of science and engineering. What is high tech? A computer is high tech. So is a communications satellite. A modern manufacturing system is surely high tech. High tech became a popu¬lar expression in the United States during the early l980’s. Because of im¬provements in technology, people could buy many new kinds of products in American stores, such as home computers, microwave(微波) ovens, etc.

“ State of the art” is something that is as modern as possible. It is a product that is based on the very latest methods and technology. Something that is “state of the art” is the newest possible design or product of a busi¬ness or industry. A state of the art television set, for example, uses the most modern electronic design and parts. It is the best that one can buy.

“ State of the art” is not a new expression. Engineers have used it for years, to describe the best and most modern way of doing something. Millions of Americans began to use the expression in the late 1970’s. The reason was the computer revolution. Every computer company claimed that its computers were “state of the art”.

Computer technology changed so fast that a state of the art computer today might be old tomorrow. The expression “state of the art” became common and popular as computers themselves. Now all kinds of products are said to be “state of the art”.

1. What is the purpose of the passage?

A. To tell how “high tech” and “state of the art” have developed.

B. To give examples of “high tech”.

C. To tell what “high tech” and “state of the” are. D. To describe very modern technology.

2. What can we infer from the passage?

A. American stores could provide new kinds of products to the people.

B. High tech describes a technology that is not traditional.

C. “State of the art” is not as popular as “high tech”.

D. A modern plough pulled by oxen is “state of the art

3. All the following examples are high tech except _________

A. a microwave over B. a home computer

C. a hand pump D. a satellite

4. Which of the following statements is not true?

A. since the computer revolution, the expression “state of the art” has become popular.

B. “State of the art” means something that is the best one can

C. With the rapid development of computer technology, a state of the tart computer may easily become out of date.

D. All kinds of products are “state of the art” nowadays.

5. The best title for the passage is __________

A. Computer Technology B. High Tech and State of the Art

C. Mast Advanced Technology D. Two New Expressions

Passage 2

Questions 6 to 10 are based on the following passage:

Cheating: The income tax deadline ( 最后期限 ) approaches and some taxpayer’ s thoughts turn to it. Test time approaches and some students’ thoughts turn to it.

“You want something you can’t get by behaving within the rules, and you want it badly enough you’ll do it regardless of any guilt or deep regret~ and you’re willing to run the risk of being caught.” That’s how Ladd Wheeler, psychology professor at the University of Rochester in New York, defines cheating.

Many experts believe cheating is on the rise. “ We ’re suffering a moral breakdown.” Pinkard says, “we’re seeing more of the kind of person who regards the world as a series of things to be dealt with. Whether to cheat depends on whether it’s the person’s interest “. He does, however , see less cheating among the youngest students.